Thermal locking radiator cap



Oct. 31, 1950 R. H. KELLOGG 2,528,372

THERMAL LOCKING RADIATOR CAP Filed June 6, 1945 A'I'I'U RN EYS Patented Oct. 31, 1950 UNITED STATES ATENT" OFFICE THERMAL LOCKING RADIATOR CAP Ralph H. Kellogg, Long Island City, N. Y. I

Application June 6, 1945, Serial No. 597,915

1 Claim. 1

The invention relates to a radiator cap, and more especially to a thermo-locking radiator cap for automobiles.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a cap of this character, wherein the water temperature within the radiator controls the locking of the capon the latter until the water cools, and thereby protecting one from being burned b the hot water in an attempt to remove the cap from the radiator during the dangerous hot period of the water therein.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a cap of this character, wherein it is locked to the filling spout of the radiator under high water temperature therein, and\ in this manner eliminating removal of the cap duringv high temperature period, and thus avoiding resultant possible body injury to a person.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a cap of this character, wherein it is impossible to remove the same when high temperatures are present in a radiator, which might result in scalding, damage to the equipment of a motor vehicle or the like, the loss of cooling liquid, etc, and also eliminates the adding of cold liquid to an over-heated radiation system, thereby reducing the danger of cracking or damaging the cylinder heads, blocks or other parts of the vehicle, the cap being also useable as a closure member for a pressure cooling system in association with a pressure relief valve or the like.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a cap of this character, which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efiicient in operation, strong, durable, neat in appearance, readily and easily applied, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which shows the preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a radiator spout and screw cap therefor, Showing the device constructed in accordance with the invention applied.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A designates generally a portion of a radiator, having as usual the externally threaded filling spout I0 fitted thereto, for a removable screw cap II, which has seated in the inner periphery a ring-like gasket or packing band I2 of the resilient type. Adapted to be telescoped over this cap II is the device constituting the present invention.

The device forming the invention, comprises a capping body I3 having a marginal depending rim or flange It for encircling the outer peripheral edge I5 of the cap I I carrying packing or band I 2, effecting a fluid tight seal therebetween. This body I3 has within a locking plate or disk I6, which is secured fast for detachment by fasteners IT to the rim or flange l4, while between this plate or disk It is a heat insulating packing I8, entirely covering such plate or disk.

Formed on the top of the cap I I centrally thereof is a headed swivel lug I9, which rotatably couples the plate or disk It with the said cap, this lug I9 being formed with a flat-faced anchoring portion 20 next to the top of the said cap II for anchoring thereto of a bi-metal deflection catch or looking member 2| having a determined deflection ratio when subjected to heat, which under abnormal conditions is out of clutching engagement with keeper projections 22 formed on and depending from the lowermost face of the plate or disk I6, so that the capping body I3 is free for rotation independently of the cap II, and. thereby making it impossible to remove the latter from the spout. This unclutching action of the member 2I is brought about by high temperature existing within the radiator, and normally the said member is clutched. with the said cap II, so that by turning the body I3 the latter can be unscrewed or otherwise detached from the spout I0 for the removal of such cap.

The packing or band I2 does not interfere with the free rotation of the body I3 when the member 2| is unlatched or unclutched from the latter, but when this body I3 is locked or clutched with the cap I I by turning the said body I3 the latter can be readily removed from the spout I0. The member 2| is temperature regulated for the looking and unlocking action thereof, it being flexed downwardly through high heat to release the same from the body I3 to free it from the cap II, but this member 2| under low temperatures is locked with the said cap.

What is claimed is:

A device of the kind described, comprising a radiator cap, a central pivot means externally attached thereto, a cup-like body rotatably telescoped onto the cap, a locking plate within and secured to said cup-like body and rotatably mounted on said pivot, projections on said plate, and depending from the lower face thereof, a thermo-controlled latch fixed to said pivot below said locking plate within said cup-like body and normally engaging said projections for preventing relative rotation between said cup-like body and said ,cap, but adapted to be disengaged from said projections when subjected to a predetermined temperature, thereby freeing said cup-like body for movement relative to said cap, a heat insulating layer within the body between the same and the locking plate, a packing means between said cap and said cup-like body, and means 15 detachably securing said locking plate to said body.

RALPH H. KELLOGG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 1,702,205 Freedman Feb. 12, 1929 1,702,532 Boomer et al. Feb. 19, 1929 1,908,593 Fortune May 9, 1933 2,250,045 Focke et al July 22, 1941 2,381,207 Coleman Aug. 7, 1945 

